Synthesis of Porous ZnS:Ag2S Nanosheets by Ion Exchange for Photocatalytic H2 Generation

ZnS:Ag2S porous nanostructures are prepared by a simple ion-exchange route using ZnS nanosheets as sacrificial templates. In solutions of different Ag ion concentrations, ZnS nanosheets are partially converted to Ag2S, resulting in porous ZnS:Ag2S nanosheet composites with different pore sizes. With the Ag2S nanocrystals playing the role of hole scavengers, the porous nanosheets exhibit a high photocatalytic H-2 generation rate of 104.9 mu mol/h/g without using any noble metal cocatalyst.